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Tag Archives: Back to School

Hi all and welcome to this addition of Top Ten Tuesday, as hosted by The Broke and Bookish. I’ve been away from the blog for a minute really because I have been an uninspired reader, but I’m hoping that some of the kick-ass August releases will re-inspire me and you’ll be back to reading my thoughts soon. For this Top Ten Tuesday, I thought it would be fun to do a Top Ten on what books will get kids reading. Since this is the Back to school edition and I am a teacher, I figured this is perfect! I encourage all of my students to read, but have found that by keeping a steady stream of new books in my classroom library, my students are much more likely to grab something when they are done classwork. So, low and behold, my list of books that will get kids reading.

The Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard: I have had to buy several copies of this one since it always seems to be out of circulation. I asked a few of my students why they like it and they all say because of the fast pace.

2. Isle of the lost by Melissa De la Cruz: Disney strikes again. I’ve never personally read this one, but my younger kids love it.

3. Compulsion by Martina Boone: All the girls love Eight and the idea of Gone With the Wind.

4. Cinder by Melissa Meyer: I actually use this in a lesson on retellings, but even before that the cover grabs kids interest. Sometimes I have to explain the re-telling aspect, but for kids who like a challenging read

5. City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau: I love weird dystopian novels, but often times the level of violence is not appropriate for Middle-Schoolers. I love “City..” because it describes un unrealistic society without the gory blood shed.

6. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Ronald Dahl: Kind of an easy one, but it is a great starter book for kids who either struggle as readers or do not necessarily enjoy reading.

7. Wonder by R.J. Palacio: Again, this is one I have never read, but that my kids adore. I like hearing them use it as a talking point on how to better relate to people who are different from themselves.

8. Circus Mirandus by Cassie Beasley: This MG I actually have read and adore! It’s better suited for the lower end of the MG spectrum (so maybe not 7th or 8th graders) and is so appealing as an urban fantasy type novel.

9. An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir: I love diverse novels from diverse authors, especially as a teacher of a minority group. What I especially love about this though is the exceptional world building. I use excepts in class and my students are ravenous for more.